Rory McIlroy is relishing the opportunity to do "challenging things" as he started off his 2026 season by taking the first-round lead at the Dubai Invitational.

The 2025 Masters champion carded a five-under 66 at Dubai Creek Resort, making six birdies when starting on the back nine to give himself a strong start.

However, he holed just one birdie on the front nine as he struggled with the windy conditions on the front nine, where he also bogeyed on the third.

After securing the first-round lead, McIlroy revealed that his motivation is still high after completing a career Grand Slam with his Masters victory last year.

"I like the work and like the process," McIlroy told Sky Sports.

"I enjoy doing challenging things and I think if you can make that the important part and make it routine, you don't need motivation to do it. It's your lifestyle and what you do.

"I guess it's who you identify as and I identify as a hard worker and someone who likes to do those things.

"The more you do that, the more it becomes who you are. I've done it for so long now that if I didn't do it, it would feel pretty foreign."

Best of Rory McIlroy's first round of the year #DubaiInvitational pic.twitter.com/455er1vjLS

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 15, 2026

Scotland's Connor Syme is a shot behind McIlroy, while Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry are in tied ninth on two under.

McIlroy, who is using new gold balls and irons, believes he could have built a stronger lead following his flying start in Dubai.

"It was good. I got off to a great start," added McIlroy, who is the current Race to Dubai champion.

"I played a very good first nine. The wind got up a little bit and it felt like that front nine was the trickier one.

"I made a silly bogey on three and didn't capitalise on the par-five after that, so I felt like I left a few on that side. But I played a really good nine holes of golf going out. Overall, a nice way to start the year."